Speedboat services on the Aricha–Kazirhat river route in Manikganj’s Shibaloy Upazila have come to a complete halt due to an acute fuel shortage, leaving passengers stranded and workers without income.
The disruption has removed one of the fastest travel options between the regions, forcing commuters to rely on slower ferries and launches.
Services began scaling down from 19 April as petrol and octane supplies tightened, before stopping entirely when fuel became unavailable.
Around 30 speedboats used to operate daily from Aricha and Kazirhat ghats, but none are currently running.
The route is a key corridor linking northern and south-western districts, with passengers from Pabna, Sirajganj, Ishwardi, Bera, and Sathia relying on it for quick access to Dhaka.
The speedboats had reduced river crossing time to 20–25 minutes, making them the most preferred mode of transport.
With the suspension, passengers are now compelled to travel by ferry and launch, pushing travel time up sharply.
Crossing the river now takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, with additional waiting time for vehicles in many cases.
Commuters said journeys that once took around three hours from Kazirhat to Dhaka now require five to six hours.
The delay has increased fatigue and disrupted daily schedules, they said.
The suspension has also put pressure on ferries and launches, increasing passenger congestion and affecting service quality.
Speedboat owners said they are facing mounting financial losses after investing large sums in the business.
They said daily operations require substantial fuel, but the supply crunch has left vessels idle and revenues at zero.
Drivers and workers said their livelihoods have been hit hard as daily earnings have stopped.
“Even one or two trips a day helped us run our families, but now there is nothing,” said a driver.
Speedboat Owners Association leaders said they have contacted the administration to resolve the crisis.
They warned that prolonged disruption could worsen losses and hardship.
Shibaloy Upazila Nirbahi Officer Monisha Rani Karmaker said fuel stations are under monitoring and the situation should improve once supply normalises.
